Friday, August 26, 2016

BUSY BODIES AND HANDS

There was a song years ago called “My Little Hands Keep Moving.” Times have changed, but those little hands are still moving and wiggling and squirming! Instead of saying, “Put your hands in your lap and listen to me,” try one of these “handy” tricks.Smart HandsWhen I was in kindergarten 100 years ago (not really – only 64) Mrs. Meyers taught us to fold our hands and put them in our laps. Do you know this still works? One teacher demonstrated folding her hands as she told her students, “These are smart hands that will help you listen and learn.”Talk to Your Hands If children are wiggling their hands, ask them to please talk to their hands and tell them to be quiet.

*You can go on all day with callbacks. Marco - Polo; Peanut Butter - jelly; Criss cross – sit like a boss, etc.

Self Control (Becky Gilsdorf)Use this visual cue to help children who are out of control.Cross hands over your chest. (Self)Slide both hands down the sides of your body. (Control)As the child repeats the movements silently it will calm them down.

Brain ToysGet a box or basket and write “brain toys” on it. ("Brain toys" sounds so much more positive than "fidget toys.")Tie some old socks in a knot and place them in the box. If children have a difficult time keeping their hands to themselves “invite” them to get a brain toy. Wouldn’t you rather a child knot and unknot a sock than poke or pick?Check out the webinar Vanessa Levin (pre-kpages.com) and I did on finger plays to learning more positive ways keep those little hands engaged.